Chapter 15

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3rd Person POV

Time continued in the kingdom of Lev as the children of the four dukes began to slowly get involved in the social affairs of high society. During this past year Albert, Edmund, and Viola especially began to prove themselves. Albert dedicated himself to his studies and tried his best to earn the title of crown prince, even if that title was not his quite yet. Edmund began to accompany his father for work from time to time so he can get used to the family occupation of supervising the flow of trade in the kingdom, however as he is still very young, he can only watch and study as much as possible. Viola got more involved in the social life of nobility per her mother's request, she has gone to many social gatherings and studied the art of socializing... as well as resorting to any tactic to keep the flow of conversation in her favour.

James and Raymond have also begun to attend social gatherings, mostly ones with other noble children attending, mostly so that they don't get bored. On the other hand, James has finally begun to show promise in his studies and as the future heir to the dukedom; his manners have greatly improved, courtesy of Viola's extra help, his studies have improved, and he has proven himself to be quite skilled at the art of the sword, resulting in his tutors praising him for being a fast learner. His reputation has been kept at a steady rise and he finally carries himself as not only the son of a duke, but a promising potential heir to the duke of the West.

All in all, this past year has been a year of progress for these five children of the highest nobles in the kingdom.

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The curtains of James's room open revealing the bright sunlight and lighting up his room. James groans loudly as he covers his head with his blanket. "You know very well that such a thing won't work young lord." Says Anne sternly as she rips James's blanket off of him and steps away to prepare his set of clothes for the day. "Aaaaaannneeeeee!" Groans James in an annoyed tone as he rolls in bed like a child throwing a tantrum. Meanwhile Anne ignores his childish behavior completely and sets his clothes neatly on his bed. "Honestly, you are far too old for this sort of behavior." Says Anne as she shakes her head in disapproval. "I'm only teeennnnn, and I'm tiiiireeeed! I studied so much yesterday that my brain went on strike! Have some mercyyyyy!" Whines James as Anne only stares at him blankly. "Please hurry Young Lord, your dance teacher will be upset if you are late... again." Says Anne, and as soon as she does James shudders in dread as he rushes to get ready. Anne smiles slightly at James's complete change in behavior.

Time Skip

"uuggghhhh, Anne, please tell me I'm done for today." Says James as he lays his head on the table; economics class was especially hard for him, and he did not have the energy to do anything after such a brutal class. "You are done with classes for today." Says Anne. "Thank God!" Says James as he wraps his arms around his head on the table. "However you do have to attend a party hosted by Earl Bleu." Finishes Anne as James groans loudly, borderline screeching actually. Anne only sighs at her young lord's behavior, but a pang of sympathy at her young lord's exhaustion leads to the decision of preparing him a snack for when he returns, so he can finally relax after the day is over.

After James gets ready for the party, while whining and complaining, he waits for his mother.

"Jaaaamesss!" Says Christine excitedly as she runs, as fast as a toddler can possibly run, towards her older brother. "Hii Christyyyy." Says James in a cheerful voice as he picks up his younger sister. "Oh James, you look so handsome! And Christine looks so adorable with her little frilly dress! Ah what did I ever do to deserve such adorable children!" Gushes Lady Isabelle as James sweat-drops at his mother's antics. "It is about time for you both to be leaving. You might be late if you wait any longer." Says Lord Vincent as James hands his younger sister to his father. "You are right dear. Don't miss me too much Christy." Says Isabelle as she hugs Christine goodbye and gives her husband a peck on the cheek (because the children are watching), now walking towards James so they can leave.

Both nobles are dressed in the main colors of the Azuree Dukedom, Isabelle with a long figure fitting off the shoulder white dress with a dark blue skirt under the slit of the dress decorated with dark blue roses, her silky white hair in an intricate high swirl bun with a few loose curls, the bun being held in place by a silver hair-clip decorated with dark blue roses; James wearing a white suit with dark blue details and a dark blue undershirt, his fluffy white hair being tamed for once. Both of them of course, wearing the family crest to show they are from the Azuree Dukedom.

'Jeez you can tell I am a capture target from miles away, my family's color palette just so happens to match with my hair and eyes. Coincidence? More like main character.' Thinks James as he loosens his tie a bit.

Time Skip

"Now announcing the arrival of Duchess Isabelle Azuree and Young Lord James Azuree." The butler's announcement rang throughout the ballroom as the guests turned to the entrance to see the duchess gracefully walking with pride with her son walking a step behind her just as confidently.

Seeing the duchess and her son, many nobles of different ranks went to greet them. The Viscounts and Barons clearing way for the Marquesses and Earls as per etiquette.

After James finished greeting everyone, Lady Azuree told him to run along with the other noble children while she went to chat with the adults.

James looks around the ballroom in search of someone. "Now where is-"

"Looking for me I presume." States Viola cooly as she stands behind James while said boy sighs and turns to Viola with a grin. "You've done this so many times I think I might have a sixth sense by now." Says James jokingly as Viola chuckles behind her black and violet fan. "You look quite handsome when you are not half awake." Says Viola teasingly as James pouts. "I can't help that, I'm only tired because I work so hard. Now praise me." Says James childishly as Viola chuckles and shakes her head. "Yes, yes, you have done well. I am proud of your progress." Says Viola as James smiles.

"Such nice words, yet when you say them, they sound so sarcastic." Says James with the smile still plastered on his face. At this Viola pouts and James laughs at her expression. "Pouting doesn't suit you, Viola. You look ridiculous." Says James as he tries to hold back his laughter. "hmph, I am glad my face is amusing to you. Just as amusing as your love life is to me." Says Viola as she smirks underneath her fan while James is hit with an imaginary arrow through the heart. "ahaha, you love rubbing salt on the wound don't ya Vi..." Says James with a pained smile. "Well James, my help comes with a price you see..." Says Viola as James sweat-drops. 'This sadist... but to think she was actually happy for me when she found out I like Albert...' Thinks James as his mouth forms a small smile.

Until...

*CRASH*

"Aaaahhh!" A high-pitched scream echoes throughout the ballroom, surprisingly not that loudly. Hearing the commotion Viola and James turn to look at what is happening. Viola especially makes her way to the source of it all on sheer instinct as James follows behind her, mostly to stop her from getting involved, but also cuz he's just as nosy as her.

As James and Viola reach the source of the scream and crash, they see a petite little girl with smooth shoulder length ashy brown hair held in place with a light pink headband a simple flamingo pink dress decorated with white flowers and frills at the hems of the dress as well as a white ribbon bow at the front of the dress, yet that dress was splattered with juice which ruined the gentle pastel colors completely. Her small form trembles on the floor as she looks up at another girl with teary seafoam eyes.

Viola turns to look at the other girl, only to find a young girl with curly blonde hair styled in a far too intricate updo for a child with a pink ribbon seemingly being the only thing keeping it in place, this girl also wore a well decorated cerise pink dress with other shades of pink decorating it as well as frills and ribbons, she is clearly from a higher social status than the other girl judging from just the expensive clothes alone.

As Viola finishes analyzing the situation, she takes notice of James approaching the two girls. Viola turns to her right where James previously was and back to James's form approaching the girls. 'Ah, is this what James calls 'a taste of my own medicine?'' She thinks as she sweat-drops and follows after James.

"What happened here?" Asks James as both girls that caused such a commotion look towards James. The blonde immediately rushed towards James with a distressed look. "Oh Lord James!" She pleads as she holds on to James's sleeve. "Th-this Earl's Daughter crashed into me! A Marquess's daughter, and spilled juice all over my expensive dress! I might have even twisted my ankle!" Says the dramatic girl as she slightly limped with teary eyes.

Hearing this James turns to the other girl on the floor and begins to walk towards her. Said girl grows more terrified as James now stands right in front of her looking down at her. He lifts his hand, and the girl closes her eyes tightly, expecting to be slapped for her insolence, meanwhile the onlookers who expected the same only paid more attention as the son of the Duke of the West has now entered the scene; they were clearly staying at a distance of the situation, watching to see how the eldest son of the duke would handle such situation.

However, the girl surprised to not feel anything, she hears some of the onlookers gasp in shock and waits for a few seconds then opens her eyes in curiosity only to see James's outstretched hand. She stares at his hand shocked as James gives her a small smile. "Well? Do you wish to sit on the floor all day?" He asks her teasingly as the brunette snaps out of it and blushes while shyly giving James her hand.

The blonde girl has now snapped out of her shock stomps her way towards James, outraged. "W-what is the meaning of this! Why are you not punishing this, this lowly girl! Look at what she did to me!" Screeches the blonde as she shows James her stained dress.

James only sighs, looking over his shoulder, he gives the blonde girl a cold glare with his piercing azure blue eyes as the blonde's words now get stuck in her throat from fear. "Pardon my rudeness, but could you please stop with this whole commotion?" Says James coldly as everyone now stands shocked at what they have witnessed. James then fully turns to face the blonde and eyes her up and down while covering his mouth and nose with the back of his hand. "It is quite unsightly." He says with slight disgust as some onlookers gasp in shock while the blonde girl blushes from anger and embarrassment.

"H-how dare you!" Says the girl, outraged.

The blonde girl now stomps her way towards James as he lowers his hand from his face and stares at her, daring her to try something.

As the blonde raises her hand however, Viola decides to intervene as she swiftly steps infront of James and grabs the blonde girl's wrist from her raised hand. "Tsk tsk tsk... my my~" Says Viola condescendingly as she steps closer to the blonde. "It is quite unladylike to resort to physical aggression..." Says Viola smoothly, taking her time to pronounce every word with her smooth and arrogant voice as she now stands centimeters away from the blonde. "Do you not agree? Lady Audrey Riche?" Says Viola as she speaks slowly and smoothly while lifting the blonde's chin slightly and gently to further tease the girl.

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'And here we see the deadly python in her natural habitat. Take note how she takes her sweet freaken time to tease and play with her prey to make it suffer right before she deals the final blow. Yep... Viola, your original game version is showing...' Thinks James as he shivers at the thought of borderline villainess Viola.

Viola soon lets go of Audrey's chin and steps away from her, said girl now humiliated beyond belief, scurries off to her mother with genuine tears welling in her eyes. This in turn makes Viola's sly smirk widen as she turns towards James and the brunette girl and her slightly creepy smirk now returns to her default friendly smile. The brunette girl was a bit spooked by Viola, but James's presence next to her comforted her.

"You didn't have to intervene..." Says James as he smirks at Viola. "hm? Is this your way of thanking me I wonder." States Viola as she opens her fan. Hearing this James gives her a soft chuckle.

"I'm pretty sure you stepped in for your own personal amusement. Not really for my benefit." Says James as Viola giggles slightly. "Oh?~ What are you accusing me of? Young Lord~" Says Viola, feigning ignorance.

Viola then turns to look at the brunette girl and sees the stain on her dress. "Oh goodness." She says as she approaches the frail girl who in turn shrinks back a bit, but Viola pays her actions no mind. "Your dress is ruined. This won't do..." States Viola as she inspects the dress a bit more. "Come with me, I have a spare dress you may wear for the time being." Says Viola as she lifts her hand as if asking for the brunette girl's hand. The brunette girl now processing what Viola has said gasps. "I-I-I Couldn't possibly! I-I mean, I would not wish to t-trouble you." Stutters out the meek girl in a panic.

Viola now growing impatient sighs and grabs the smaller girl's hand gently and leads her out the ballroom and through the halls to her carriage with James trailing behind. The brunette girl blushes and looks at Viola in shock then turns back to look at James trailing behind who in turn gives the petite girl a reassuring toothy smile.

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The three children had gone to the garden of the manor per James's request, mostly because the two higher ranking children wanted a break from the crowd.

After the brunette girl changes into one of Viola's spare dresses (yes she has two spares... don't ask) she blushes as she looks at her reflection in the mirror. She is wearing a surprisingly not as dark of a dress a she thought she would be wearing, seeing as the Puissante family is known for slick and dark clothing, that as well as the fact that Viola was currently wearing a vibrant Violet and black dress with long sleeves and frills at the hems as well as a couple of intricate designs and decorations and her hair being in loose low side foxtail resting on her right shoulder with a black bow tying it. In contrast the brunette girl is wearing a pastel lilac colored dress with a pastel cyan blue ribbon tied around her waist and way less layers than Viola is wearing, not to mention her corset is quite loose compared to Viola.

'Where the heck did Viola get this dress? It definitely can't be her's.' Thinks James, already being used to his friend's gloomy attire. "You look adorable!" Says Viola excitedly as the brunette girl blushes more and smiles at Viola's compliment. "Ah! We forgot names." Says James as Viola gives James a smug look. James catches on and gives Viola an annoyed look in return. "You may know every single person in existence Viola, but those of us who don't, have to resort to the classic 'introductions' shtick." Says James as Viola chuckles.

"M-My name is Fannie Modique, daughter to Earl Modique of the Southern territory. I-It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Viola Puissante of the Northern Territory and Lord James Azuree of the Western territory." Says the brunette girl, now known as Fannie, as she curtseys. Viola smiles gently as she gracefully curtseys in return while James bows elegantly.

Fannie can't help but admire both of their postures as she remembers all the times she was scolded by her etiquette teacher. 'So this is the clear difference between the other nobles and the children of the dukes.' Thinks Fannie in admiration.

"What's with the whole 'of the North' and 'of the West' thing?" Asks James curiously. "Ah yes, the other nobles live under the jurisdiction of one of the territories of the four dukes, therefore it is common courtesy to sates which one you are from. However, as the children of the four dukes, we do not really pay that matter much mind..." Explains Viola as James nods in understanding while Fannie sweat-drops. 'Difference is an understatement. What is a social requirement for us lower class nobles is a trivial matter for the dukes...' Thinks Fannie.

"As future heirs however..." Starts Viola with a slightly scolding tone. "It is strongly advised for us to pay attention to this. Since the heirs will some day be in charge of these territories." Says Viola, giving James a side-eyed "you disappoint me" type of look. Meanwhile James just sweat-drops at her attitude and looks away like a child after getting scolded.

"W-well anyway. We should head back now, right Vi?" Says James as Viola nods in agreement. "Alrighty then, let's go Fannie." Says James as he looks at Fannie while said girl looks at him in surprise. "M-me?" Asks the meek girl as James snorts. "Who else? Is there another Fannie here?" He asks as Viola shakes her head in disapproval. "Nobles do not snort James." Says Viola as she pulls on James's ear. "Aaahh aaah w-wait ooouuuch!" Says James as Viola pulls his ear. "*sigh* And here I thought you were finally making progress." Says Viola disappointedly as she lets go of James's ear while he strokes his ears gently as he cries anime tears.

Seeing this scene Fannie sweat-drops once more. '... I am incredibly confused.' Thinks Fannie as Viola and James's constant disregard of etiquette leaves her baffled, more so James than Viola.

"Ok, Fannie still hasn't met Edmund and Raymond yet! So we gotta introduce them." Says James as Viola nods in agreement. Fannie hearing this panics. "W-wait, what? Me? T-talk to the other children of the f-four dukes?" Asks Fannie in slight panic and nervousness as James only smiles at her. "Obviously! You're our friend now so ya gotta meet our other friends." Says James with a toothy grin as Viola gives Fannie a kind smile as if to confirm James' statement.

Fannie in turn stares at them in shock. That shock, however, is short lived as she is dragged by James back to the ballroom to meet the other noble children.

And so, this is how a turning point in the children's lives took place... In more ways than one.

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On The Way To The Ballroom

"So Viola. Why did you really step in when I was mediating during the whole commotion in the ballroom." Asks James curiously as Viola gives him a small smile at the question.

"Hm. First of all, I would hardly call what you did 'mediating'..." Says Viola with mild amusement as James stares at her with playfully displeased look.

"And secondly.... Because I wanted to have a bit of... fun." Says Viola with a nonchalant demeanor as James tilts his head in confusion. "Fun?" He asks as Viola opens her fan and covers her mouth it. "Mhm." She says simply, refusing to elaborate further.

Seeing Viola's demeanor, James decides to not inquire, but the question still nags at him a bit. 'What does she mean by "Fun"?' He wonders.

Meanwhile Fannie is too nervous about meeting the other children of the dukedoms to even listen to what James and Viola are talking about. She's too busy panicking about what to do and what to say.

'She was quite cute... That girl..... Such a shame her attitude was so disappointing.'

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The picture below is how Fannie Looks like but with ashy brown hair and seafoam green eyes

And the picture below is what Audrey looks like but with cerise pink eyes.

Also, I keep forgetting but happy pride month! 🏳️‍🌈